SC teacher with muscular dystrophy says returning to classroom without vaccine could be deadly
SC teacher with muscular dystrophy says returning to classroom without vaccine could be deadly By Emily Wakeman | February 15, 2021 at 8:55 PM EST - Updated February 16 at 2:15 PM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Governor Henry McMaster and Superintendent Molly Spearman called for teachers to return to the classroom with or without the vaccine last week.
But one Richland Two teacher with muscular dystrophy says that teachers with pre-existing health conditions are facing the impossible choice between their health and their livelihood as they wait for the vaccine.
RELATED STORIES:
52 people at Prince George High School in quarantine after possible exposure to COVID-19
52 in quarantine at Prince George High School By Hannah Smith | February 10, 2021 at 4:23 PM EST - Updated February 10 at 11:24 PM
PRINCE GEORGE Co., Va. (WWBT) - The superintendent says that as of Feb. 8, 52 people at Prince George High School are in quarantine due to close contact with a positive COVID-19 case. As of this week, there have been 34 positive cases at the high school since school resumed after Christmas break on Jan. 4.
Prince George County Public Schools said it follows CDC guidelines when it comes to contact tracing. The CDC defines close contact as “someone who has been within six feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period.”
InMaricopa
Maricopa High School will close Thursday and Friday due to staff quarantines.
Students will learn from home and return to campus on Monday for classes.
A message on the high school’s home page, however, said the closure could be extended if additional positive COVID-19 cases are reported.
Teachers will provide additional information regarding access to online instruction, the message said.
Last Wednesday, Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman recommended to the Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board that in-person classes resume on Monday, Feb. 1. But she cautioned the situation was “volatile” and the number of student and staff coronavirus cases at several schools – she specifically mentioned Maricopa High School and the district’s two middle schools – could lead to quarantines that would force a short-term return to distance learning.
Senate Finance Committee
Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) led his Committee this afternoon with a hearing on SB 1, a bill authored by Senator Dean Burke (R-Bainbridge) which amends Title 31 to require that entities, that receive state income tax credits and provide self-funded, employer sponsored health insurance not subject to the regulatory authority of the Commissioner of Insurance, must report insurance claims information to the Georgia All-Payer Claims Database. The legislation further requires compliance with the reporting requirement beginning January 1, 2022, as a condition to continued receipt of any such tax credits.
The Committee held a hearing only discussion today on the legislation. Senator Burke explained the legislation on the All-Payer Claims Database initiative which has been adopted in 34 states. The goals are to provide transparency and predictability to improve outcomes and access to healthcare. The claims completed by providers for patients would be translate
Timothy Saxton will not return to West Branch Local Schools as the district’s superintendent.
On Wednesday, the West Branch Local Schools Board of Education voted to extend Micki Egli s stint as acting superintendent through July.
Egli has held the position since Saxton was granted Family Medical Leave on Aug. 29. Egli also serves as the district’s director of special services.
Per Saxton s request, the Board of Education agreed for him to transition to a teaching position upon his return. The news release announcing the two moves did not list a date for Saxton’s return.
The Board will be carefully considering options as it prepares for a leadership transition over the summer, according to the news release.